CMP has new Special Garands with a spacer installed to allow .308 ammo. Anybody have any experience with these? I like the fact that the guns will shoot .308. an easier to find round. Gotta figure the surplus 30-06 ammo the Garand needs is eventually going to dry up. But a side of me says it's sacriledge to make a Garand into a .308.

From the last post, Im assuming the rifle is "chambered" in .308, and isnt a 30-06 with the inserts.

Homerboys post sounded like it might be inserts, unless he was referring to the "block" that wont allow a clip of 30-06 to be inserted.

If it is the inserts, I think Id pass.

I have an M1 in .308 and its a shooter. I also have one in 30-06, and it too shoots well. I reload for both, so as long as I can get components, ammo cost really isnt an issue.

Other than the basic M1 safety issues (ammo and function) the only thing that I think you need to pay extra attention to, if you have guns in both calibers is, you dont get a clip of .308 into a 30-06 gun. To me, thats scarier than getting a 30-06 clip into a .308 gun. If you are shooting both at the same time, its very easy to get the clips mixed up, as they are really not all that different, unless held side by side.

They had a few racks of these at the CMP North store a month or so ago when I visited. They're rebuilds with new stocks, a new .308 barrel and new finish.

Probably about as close as you'd get to a "new" M1. I wouldn't worry about the supply of .30-06 though. Even if you don't reload, the CMP sells new manufacture Lake City, about $110 shipped for 200 rounds.

I like them recommend them and if I could afford it would get another one just in case something happens to the one I have.

__________________
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--Daniel Webster--

So if I wanted to buy an M1 Garand, would I be better off getting it in a .308 just because I could get modern ammo for it?

Only if you want one in .308.

Federal (and other companies, I believe) make Garand-specific loads. There is also a list floating out there of other commercial ammo that is Garand-safe. I believe plain old Remington 150-grain Core-Loct is on that list, if you want a good commercial hunting load.

Also, changing out the gas plug with an inexpensive aftermarket plug (by Schuster, McCann, Garand Gear, etc.) allows shooting of pretty much any modern commercial ammo through a Garand. It's a drop-in part. Some need adjustment. Some don't. It does not permanently modify the gun, so you can put the USGI plug back in for matches that require it.

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